I am not Ambani, I don't want to make money, I just showed India, a possibility: Mohit Goel, MD Ringing Bells

Mohit Goel who had launched the phone with in the presence of senior BJP leaders, Murali Manohar Joshi and Manohar Parrikkar in the national capital, today showed two models of Freedom 251 phonesSharmila Bhowmik | TNN | Updated: June 24, 2016, 10:39 IST

Months after announcing the 'world's cheapest phone' worth Rs 251, and announcing delivery of 50 lakh phones from April 10 to June 30, founder owner of Noida based, Ringing Bells, Mohit Goel who had launched the phone with in the presence of senior BJP leaders, Murali Manohar Joshi and Manohar Parrikkar in the national capital, today showed two models of Freedom 251 phones, one black, the other white to TOI.

In a conversation with Sharmila Bhowmick, Goel, who had only few months ago captured the imagination of the country with his idea, said he has 2 lakh phone now to deliver and it is only a pilot launch. He can't offer anything more at the moment.

Where is this phone from? How are you going to sell it now?

This phone is from Taiwan. We imported it via third party in a knocked down format of 26 pieces. It was assembled and branded in a Haridwar factory.

We are packaging it as Made In India. We have two lakh phones and we will deliver them over a month in a staggered manner. This is the maximum we can do at the moment. We are seeking government support; it cannot go ahead otherwise.

You had said that you are looking for investors?

I have many offers of investment. We will announce our formal tie ups next week. However, it is the idea of a cheap smart phone that I was trying to show the country. I am not Ambani, I am not here to make money. I was doing it for my country, to help make the country go digital.

What is your next course of action?

I have major investors interested in the project. But my limit is two lakh, I don't have the capacity to deliver more than this. This can only happen if the government backs me. So this is a pilot launch. I can't offer more phones at the moment.

What is the specification of this phone?

It is 4 inch wide, with 1GB RAM, 8GB internal ram, expandable to 32GB. It has a quad core processor. There are two models, one black, one white.

What is the market price of the phone, how are you subsidising it?

The market price of the phone is Rs 1,180. We are selling it at Rs 251. We have preloaded it with mobile applications, which cannot be disabled. There are 12 such apps. So all those app companies have subsidised the cost.

What about your market catchment?

I have a catchment of 7.5 crore registered people, who are interested in this phone. So there is a market for an affordable smart phone in India.

How will you distribute it?

The two lakh phones on first come first serve basis will be distributed. This will go to people who have registered online. We have 280 on ground dealers for on ground distribution. We have 70 lakh offline bookings so far.

First BJP leaders launched your phone then they lodged an FIR against you calling it a Ponzi scam.

The BJP was initially backing it. Then they withdrew support. The Kirit Somaiya FIR was dissolved by the court as a 'premature' complaint.

Where all do you have distribution network?

I have distributors in 12 states including UP, J&K, Assam, Gujarat among others. Not just Freedom 251, my other phones are also supplied through these.

What about your next course of action?

Next I am launching the cheapest LED TV of 32-inch at Rs 10,000. But this time, there will be no pre-booking.